Shelby Means on Going Solo: A Bluegrass Bassist’s Journey from Golden Highway to Center Stage
When Shelby Means began writing songs on her own, she wasn’t necessarily planning a solo record. It began as a creative habit, an outlet rooted in the same instinct that has guided her through years of touring, recording, and collaborating with artists across the Americana and bluegrass worlds. But over time, a collection of songs began to take shape. With encouragement from peers, including her husband Joel Timmons and producer Maya de Vitry, Means took a leap. The result is her first solo album: a project that reflects her growth as a songwriter, bandleader, and artist stepping confidently into her own name.
“I’ve been writing songs, but didn’t necessarily have the intention of writing for a solo record,” she explains. “My husband made a solo record, and I got to experience that process as he worked with Maya de Vitry. That really sparked something for me—it was fun, inspiring, and Maya was such a great listener and producer. She honored what Joel wanted, but also helped guide the process in a really clear way.”
Shelby Means’ solo debut album will be streaming on May 30th via Apple Music, Amazon Music, and more.
The support and inspiration didn’t stop there. A moment during a tour with her friend Bronwyn Keith-Hynes further nudged Means in the direction of her own album. “She said, ‘I want to make another solo record, but this time I want to sing.’ And I was thinking, actually, I want to make a solo record too.”
The timing is right. Means and Keith-Hynes have been bandmates in Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, one of the most successful bluegrass bands in recent history. Together, they won a Grammy, but frontwoman Tuttle just announced a new direction and the dissolution of the band. The opportunity for Means to take her leap presented itself and she did so by fully embracing the creative process. The album features eleven original songs and two covers, including a standout rendition of Lady Gaga’s “Million Reasons”. The album also features an incredible cast of musicians: Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Bryan Sutton, Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, Ronnie McCoury, Michael Cleveland, and more.
“It was sort of a dream come true to play with the band that I put together,” she says.
That experience, though deeply rewarding, also brought a new set of responsibilities. “That part is the fun part,” she says of the music-making itself. “But then on the backside, it’s definitely different… putting out the promotion, booking shows, and doing everything myself.” Still, she embraced the challenge. Years of working with seasoned professionals gave her a roadmap. “The more I did with other people and other bands, the more I learned.”
In that sense, the album isn’t just a new chapter. It’s the culmination of her past work and a step forward into something uniquely her own. “I think that’s partially why I waited so long. It was to learn everything I could.”
Now, as she prepares to tour behind the record, Means is excited to bring these songs to life on stage with a band of her choosing. She’s booking trio dates, planning a major album release show in Nashville, and thinking about taking the music overseas.
“I haven’t had the chance to form my own band before,” she says. “I was joking with my Golden Highway bandmates that at least I’ve got my steady bass player on lockdown. I’ve got Shelby Means on bass.”
Shelby Means Tour Dates:
| Date | Venue | Location |
|---|---|---|
| May 23 | WMOT Finally Friday at 3rd and Lindsley | Nashville, TN |
| June 4 | Gas Hill Drinking Room | Winston Salem, NC |
| June 6 | Midwood Guitar Studio | Charlotte, NC |
| June 7 | Charleston Pour House | Charleston, SC * |
| June 25 | 5Spot | Nashville, TN |
| July 4 | Soundcheck Summer Music Series | Pinedale, WY |
| July 25 | RockyGrass | Lyons, CO # |
| Aug. 22 | Charleston Pour House | Charleston, SC ^ |
* With Maya de Vitry
^ With Bronwyn Keith-Hynes
# With Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
Don’t know of anyone that doesn’t know Molly, therefore everyone knows you. Harmonies are as important as being on the lead mic…The standup is so much fun to play that my guitar would stay encased if afforded the opportunity to play with a bluegrass ensemble. I’ve owned a 1945 Kay for 20 years that booms like a distant blown transformer. Where did she come from? The hills of Appalachia, streets of New Orleans or the blues clubs of Chicago. Slightly tattered, one can tell by the lack of finish it had spent years against ones torso. If she could only talk…We’d come see you, should you take the stage at a theater or festival within an hour or so drive…